Door frame and molding construction



P 1968 F. H. BRANDT E AL DOOR FRAME AND MOLDING CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1966 .[A/VENTOES.

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6442215, K/E'Cfl, Egg-51.1,- {KEEN United States Patent DOOR FRAME AND MOLDING CONSTRUCTION Frank H. Brandt, West Covina, David Aguirre, Azusa,

and Kenneth K. Kellems, Costa Mesa, Califl, assignors to Acme Appliance Manufacturing Company, Mourow'a, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 597,307 4 Claims. (Cl. 49504) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A door frame comprising generally channel-shaped jambs respectively embracing the edges of and framing a door opening and each having opposed flanges respectively engaging opposite sides of the wall adjacent the corresponding edge of the opening. Each flange has parallel, continuous, opposed, inner and outer molding-retaining lips which extend the full lengths thereof. Flexible moldings respectively overlie the flanges and each has parallel, continuous, hook-like inner and outer retaining edges extending the full lengths thereof and respectively hooked behind the inner and outer molding-retaining lips of the corresponding flange.

Background of invention The present invention relates in general to frame and molding structures for doors, and the like, and, more particularly, to a prefabricated door frame and molding structure of the type wherein snap-on moldings are used to conceal the means for attaching the jambs of the door frame to the wall around the opening for the door.

As further background, the invention contemplates a prefabricated door frame and molding structure of the type comprising: generally channel-shaped hinge, strike and head jambs respectively embracing the hinge, strike and head edges of and framing the door opening and each having opposed flanges respectively engaging opposite sides of the wall adjacent the corresponding edge of the door opening; means, such as nails or screws, driven into the wall through the flanges of the various jambs to secure the frame in place in the door opening; and moldings overlying and snapped onto the respective flanges to conceal the respective attachment means.

Summary and objects of invention A primary object of the invention is to provide the jamb flanges with parallel, continuous, opposed, inner and outer molding-retaining lips which extend the full lengths of the respective flanges.

A related primary object is to provide the moldings with parallel, continuous, hook-like inner and outer retaining edges which extend the full lengths of the respective moldings and which are respectively hooked behind the inner and outer molding-retaining lips of the corresponding flanges, the moldings being flexible so that they can be snapped into place.

Still more specifically, an important object of the invention is to provide jambs the free longitudinal edges of the flanges of which diverge away from each other along their entire lengths to form the outer molding-retaining lips mentioned, and to provide inner molding-retaining lips which are hook-like in cross section and which face inwardly of the door opening away from the outer molding-retaining lips and have rounded inner edges. With this construction, each molding is installed on the corresponding flange by first inserting the hook-like outer retaining edge of the molding behind the outer molding-retaining lip of the flange, and then snapping the hook-like inner retaining edge of the molding behind the rounded inner edge of the hook-like inner molding-retaining lip of the 3,401,487 Patented Sept. 17, 1968 The foregoing frame and molding structure has a number of important advantages. First, since the molding-retaining lips on the jamb flanges and the retaining edges on the moldings are continuous throughout the full lengths of the jamb flanges and the moldings, the snap-on moldings are secured'throughout their entire lengths in a positive manner against accidental dislodgment. Preferably, the molding-retaining lips on the jamb flanges are formed integrally therewith so that they provide permanent anchors for the snap-on moldings regardless of the abuse to which the jamb members are subjected in use. Second, since the inner and outer molding-retaining lips on the jamb flanges :are integral therewith, they act as integral reinforcing ribs which contribute measurably to the stiffness and mechanical strength of the jambs, which is an important feature. Third, since each molding is installed by first inserting the outer retaining edge thereon behind the outer molding-retaining lip on the corresponding flange, and then snapping the inner retaining edge of the molding over the rounded inner edge of-the hook-like inner molding-retaining lip on the flange, the possibility of damage to the adjacent wall surface during installation of the snap-on molding is reduced virtually to zero. Fourth, since the inner and outer molding-retaining lips on the jamb flanges are continuous throughout the entire lengths of the flanges, the flanges have no lanced or sheared edges for the purpose of retaining the moldings. The absence of such lanced or sheared edges minimizes the possibility of injury to personnel handling and/ or installing the jambs, and, further, reduces the number of raw edges subject to rust, corrosion, or the like. 1

Another important object of the invention is to provide the moldings with abutting mitered ends at the upper corners of the door frame and molding structure, and to provide certain of the jamb flanges, preferably the head jamb flanges, with integral miter supports which are located behind the abutting mitered ends of the moldings and against which such abutting mitered ends are seated. With this construction, positive support for the mitered corners of the molding assemblies is provided, which is an important feature.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the hinge jamb with preformed, threaded holes therethrough to threadedly receive screws for securing door hinges to the hinge jamb. This construction provides a positive means of attaching the door hinges directly to the hinge jamb so that the door hinges can be removed and reinstalled repeatedly, if necessary, without any danger of losing nuts behind the hinge jamb.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strike jamb having means for horizontally adjustably mounting a strike plate to accommodate different lock sets.

The foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the present invention, together with various other ob-' jects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates in the light of this disclosure, may be achieved with the exemplary embodiments of the invention described in detail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a doorway provided with the door frame and molding construction of the invention, one of the moldings being omitted;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view showing the upper left corner of the door frame and molding construction illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by the arrowed line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a hinge jamb and moldings of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a strike jarnb and moldings of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views respectively taken as indicated 'by the arrowed lines 6-6 and 7-7 of FIGS. 3 and 1, respectively;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a jarnb flange of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a molding of the invention adapted to be snapped onto the jarnb flange of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the arrowed line 1010 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view generally similar to FIG.

3, but illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Description of exemplary embodiments of invention In the drawings, the numeral 20 designates a wall having a door opening 22 therein. In the particular construction illustrated, the wall is of the wood frame and plaster type and the door opening 22 is defined by trimmer studs 24 and a header 26.

The door opening 22 is framed by generally channelshaped hinge, strike and head jambs 28, 30 and 32 respectively embracing the corresponding edges of the door opening. More particularly, the hinge, strike and head jambs 28, 30 and 32 are respectively provided with opposed flanges 34, 36 and 38 respectively engaging opposed sides of the wall 20 along the corresponding edges of the door opening 22. The jambs 28, 30 and 32 are secured in place by nails or screws driven through the corresponding flanges 34, 36 and 38 into the trimmer studs 24 and the header 26. The flanges 34, 36 and 38 of the respective channel-shaped jambs 28, 30 and 32 are integrally interconnected by walls 40, 42 and 44 respectively provided with integral, channel-shaped stops 46, 48 and 50 abuttable by a door 52 hingedly connected to the hinge jarnb 28 by hinges 54 in a manner to be described. The door 52 is adapted to be latched and/or locked in its closed position, in abutting relation with the stops 46, 48, 50, by engagement of the bolt, not shown, of a lock set thereon with a strike plate 56 connected to the strike jarnb 30 in a manner to be described.

The various flanges 34, 36 and 38 of the jambs 28, 30 and 32 are respectively covered by snap-on moldings 58, 60 and 62 in a manner which will be described in detail hereinafter. These moldings cover the nails or screws used to attach the jambs 28, 30 and 32 to the wall 20. The moldings 58, 60 and 62 have abutting mitered corners at the top of the doorway, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Considering the hinge, strike and head jambs 28, 30 and 32 in more detail, these jambs are all precut to the proper length to accommodate the door 52 and to provide the necessary clearance between the lower edge of the door and a finished floor 64. When installed, the lower ends of the hinge and strike jambs 28 and 30 are seated on the finished floor 64. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the hinge and strike jambs 28 and 30 terminate short of the upper edge of the door opening 22 and support the ends of the head jarnb 32. The connecting wall 44 of the head jarnb 32 is provided at its ends with notches 66 which receive the upper ends of the vertical edges of the door opening 22 therein while the ends of the flanges 38 of the head jarnb 32 extend horizontally beyond the ends of the connecting wall 44 to embrace the upper ends of the vertical edges of the door opening. The ends of the connecting wall 44 of the head jamb 32 are provided with downturned tabs 68, FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, which are hooked behind the upper ends of the connecting walls 40 and 42 of the hinge and strike jambs 28 and 30. The tabs 68 thus limit the spacing between the upper ends of the hinge and strike jambs 28 and 30 to the precise distance necessary to accommodate the door 52.

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When installing the hinge, strike and head jambs-28, 30 and 32, the head jarnb 32 is installed first, but is not secured in place at this stage. Then, the hinge and strike jambs 28 and 30 are installed, but not secured in place. The lower ends of the hinge and strike jambs 28 and 30 are seated on the finished floor 64 (or on shims simulating the finished floor if the latter has not been installed). The head jamb 32 is then lowered solidly onto the upper ends of the hinge and strike jambs 28 and 30, the horizontal spacing of the upper ends of the hinge and strike jambs being determined by the tabs 68. The door 52 is then hung on the hinge jarnb 28, in a manner to be described hereinafter, and thedoor itself is then used as a template to square the hinge, strike and head jambs 28, 30 and 32 in the door opening 22, making sure that proper clearances for the door are provided. The hinge jarnb 28 is then secured in place by means of nails or screws driven through the flanges 34 thereof. Subsequently, the strike and head jambs 30 and 32 are secured in place, in that order, by nails or screws driven through the flanges 36 and 38 thereof.

The foregoing operations completed, the moldings 58, 60 and 62 are snapped onto the respective flanges 34, 36 and 38, in a manner to be described hereinafter. As previously pointed out, the hinge and strike moldings 58 and 60 have mitered upper ends which abut mitered ends of the head moldings 62. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ends of the head-jamb flanges 38 have integral miter supports 70 struck outwardly relative to the wall 20. The abutting mitered ends of the various moldings 58, 60 and 62 are seated against the miter supports 70 to provide firm supports for these mitered joints, which is an important feature.

Considering now the manner in which the moldings 58, 60 and 62 are snapped onto the respective flanges 34, 36 and 38, one of the head-jarnb flanges 38 and one of the head moldings 62 are shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively. The other jarnb flanges and moldings are identical to the head-jamb flange 38 and the molding 62 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 so that the following discussion is equally applicable thereto.

Considering FIG. 8 first, the free longitudinal edges of the head-jamb flanges 38 diverge away from each other along their entire lengths to provide each head-jamb flange 38 with a continuous outer molding-retaining lip 72 extending the full length of such flange. As will be apparent, when the head-jamb flange 38 shown in FIG. 8 is in abutting relation with one side of the wall 20, the outer molding-retaining lip 72 diverges away from the wall. Spaced inwardly of the door opening 22 from the outer molding-retaining lip 72 is a continuous, hook-like, inner molding-retainin lip 74 which extends the full length of the head-jamb flange 38 and which faces inwardly away from the outer molding-retaining lip 72 and has a rounded inner edge 76. In the particular constructionillustrated, wherein the various jambs 28, 30 and 32 are formed of sheet metal, the inner moldingretaining lip 74 is formed by doubling a portion of the sheet metal back on itself.

Turning to FIG. 9, the corresponding head molding 62 has a hook-like outer retaining edge 78 which is continuous throughout the entire length of the molding 62 and which is adapted to be hooked behind the outer molding-retaining lip 72 of the head-jamb flange 38. Also extending the full length of the head molding 62 is a continuous, hook-like inner retaining edge 80 adapted to be hooked behind the inner molding-retaining lip 74 on the head-jamb flange 38 by snapping it over the rounded inner edge 76 of the lip 74, it being noted that the inner retaining edge 80 has a beveled surface 82 engageable with the rounded inner edge 76 to facilitate snapping the inner retaining edge 80 behind the inner molding-retaining lip 74. It will be understood that the head molding 62 has sufficient flexibility to permit its inner retaining edge 80 to be snapped into place in the foregoing manner after hooking of its outer retaining edge 78 behind the outer molding-retaining lip 72. For example, the molding 62 may be made of flexible plastic, sheet metal, or the like.

As previously pointed out, the hinge-jamb and strikejamb flanges 34 and 36 have the same construction as the head-jamb flanges 38, and the hinge and strike moldings 58 and 60 have the same construction as the head moldings 62 and are installed in the same way. Consequently, a further description is not necessary.

The extreme ends of the head-jamb flanges 38 preferably diverge outwardly away from each other so that the outer molding-retaining lips of the hinge and strike moldings 58 and 60 can be hooked therebehind, thereby securing same in place throughout their full lengths.

' The foregoing construction of the various jamb flanges and moldings has various important advantages, as hereinbefore outlined. More particularly, the molding-retaining lips on the jamb flanges and the retaining edges on the moldings, being continuous throughout the full lengths of the jamb flanges and the moldings, secure the snap-on moldings in place throughout their entire lengths to prevent accidental dislodgement. Second, since the inner and outer molding-retaining lips on the jamb flanges are integral therewith, they act as integral reinforcing ribs which contribute measurably to the stiffness and mechanical strength of the jambs. Third, since the moldings are installed by first inserting the outer retaining edges thereof behind the outer molding-retaining lips on the corresponding flanges, and then snapping the inner retaining edges over the rounded inner edges of the inner molding-retaining lips, the possibility of damage to the surfaces of the wall 20 is minimized. Finally, the various jamb flanges have no lanced or sheared edges for the purpose of retaining the corresponding moldings.

Considering the manner in which the hinges 54 are attached to the hinge jamb 28, the connecting wall 40 of the hinge jamb is provided with recesses 84, FIG. 4, to receive jamb leaves 86 of the hinges 54. Each jamb leaf 86 is attached by means of sheet metal screws 88 extending through the jamb leaf and threaded through holes 90 in the connecting wall 40, all as best shown in FIG. 10. The holes 90 are formed in conical depressions 92 and are cocked at an angle corresponding to the angle of the threads on the screws 88 so that the screws positively and smoothly engage the edges of the holes 90. With this construction, the hinges 54 are positively attached to the hinge jamb 28 in a manner which permits repeated installation and removal of the hinges, and without any danger of losing nuts behind the hinge jamb after installation, which is an important feature.

Turning to FIGS. 5 and 7, the connecting wall 42 of the strike jamb 30 is provided with a recess 94 to receive the strike plate 56. The latter has an integral dust box 96 which projects outwardly relative to the door opening 22 through an opening 98 in the recessed portion 94. Above and below the dust-box opening 98 are horizontal bars 100 integral with the recess portion 94 and carrying sheet metal nuts 102, one of the nuts being omitted for clarity. Each nut 102 has a spring clip 104 hooked around the corresponding bar 100 to secure the nut in place while permitting movement of the nut along the bar toward and away from the corresponding door stop 48. The strike plate 56 is secured by means of screws threadedly engaged with the nuts 102. As will be apparent, this construction permits horizontal adjustment of the strike plate 56 toward and away from the corresponding door stop 48 to accommodate different lock sets.

Turning to FIG. 11 of the drawings, illustrated therein is a jamb 106 which is identical to the jambs 28, 30 and 32, except that it is made in two longitudinally-extending halves 108 and 110 which are horizontally .adjustable relative to each other to accommodate walls of different thicknesses. More particularly, the half of the jamb 106 is provided with an integral channel-shaped door stop 112 and the half 108 is provided with an L-shaped extension 114 nested within and horizontally slidable relative to the door stop. As viewed in FIG. 11, the jamb 106 accommodates a maximum-thickness wall when the L- shaped extension 114 engages the left side of the door stop 112, and accommodates a minimum-thickness wall when the extension engages the right side of the door stop. In all other respects, the jamb 106 is identical to and is mounted in the same way as the jambs 28, 30 and 32.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a frame and molding structure for a door, or the like, in an opening in a wall, the combination of:

(a) generally channel-shaped jambs respectively embracing the edges of and framing the opening and each having opposed flanges respectively engaging opposite sides of the wall adjacent the corresponding edge of the opening;

(h) each of said flanges having parallel, continuous, opposed, inner and outer molding-retaining lips which extend the full lengths thereof;

(0) flexible moldings respectively overlying said flanges and each having parallel, continuous, hooklike inner and outer retaining edges extending the full lengths thereof and respectively hooked behind said inner and outer molding-retaining lips of the corresponding one of said flanges;

(d) the free longitudinal edges of said flanges of each of said jambs being flat and diverging away from each-other along their entire lengths to form said outer molding-retaining lips thereof;

(e) said inner molding-retaining lips being hook-like in cross section and facing inwardly away from the corresponding outer molding-retaining lips; and

(f) said inner molding-retaining lips having rounded inner edges to provide for snapping said inner retaining edges of said moldings into place behind said inner molding-retaining lips of said flanges after hooking said outer retaining edges of said molding behind said outer molding-retaining lip-s of said flanges.

2. A frame and molding structure according to claim 1 wherein one of said jambs is a hinge jamb having preformed, threaded holes therethrough to threadedly receive screws for securing hinges to said hinge jamb.

3. A frame and molding structure as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said jambs is a strike jamb having horizontal webs carrying horizontally adjustable nuts for screws for securing a strike plate to said strike jamb.

4. A frame and molding structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said moldings have abutting mitered ends and wherein at least one of said jambs includes miter supports against which said abutting mitered ends of said moldings are seated.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,913,777 11/1959 Viets 52-211 XR 3,083,798 4/1963 Sklar l6170 XR 3,107,759 10/1963 Day et a1. 52-212 3,265,427 8/1966 Williams 49-50'4 XR 3,310,920 3/1967 Bell et al. 49501XR KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner. 

